FOR THE PRIME MINISTER

[In the House of Representatives on 24 May 1940 the Minister for
External Affairs, John McEwen, was asked whether his attention had
been drawn to reports that Germany, Russia and Japan would hold a
conference on the future of the Netherlands East Indies. In reply
McEwen said that he was seeking official confirmation or otherwise
of the report. He then continued: 'The honorable member asks if I
am able to add anything to my earlier statement regarding the
maintenance of the status quo in the Pacific, particularly in
relation to the Netherlands East Indies. That statement was to the
effect that three Pacific powers-Japan, the United States of
America, the United Kingdom-together with Australia, had severally
declared that the position of the Netherlands East Indies should
not be affected by hostilities in Europe. The only thing that I
can add to that statement is that I have since had an interview in
Canberra with Mr. Akiyama, the Consul-General for Japan, when
assurances on behalf of the respective governments were given that
neither Australia nor Japan would take any action likely to affect
the present position in regard to the status quo in the
Netherlands East Indies.

No specific representations to the Government of the United States
of America have been made in this regard; there has merely been
the declaration of policy which I indicated previously.'
(Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates, vol. 163, pp. 1254-5.)]

Netherlands East Indies. Press here reports an exchange of
undertakings between Australia and Japan re Netherlands East
Indies. If report is correct would suggest you authorize me to
advise the United Kingdom Government.

BRUCE